Manufacturers say yes, arguing that the reduction in vehicle crashes decreases traffic congestion. Other features improve traffic flow. But these are safety technologies, not emission-reducing measures, that critics worry will water-down CAFE.
That's Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE), and meeting the stringent 54.5 miles per gallon by year 2025 target may be exceedingly difficult, particularly with low gas prices, so allowing credit for safety features like automatic braking and adaptive cruise control warrants merit, argues the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers. "Fewer accidents will lead to less congestion and better traffic flow—factors that, when combined with speed management, could cut vehicle emissions by as much as 30%, say University of California at Riverside researchers," writes Mike Spector for The Wall Street Journal.
It's not a new argument. "In 2012, when setting new fuel-economy standards, regulators said safety features should be evaluated only on their ability to save lives or reduce injuries, and not be considered for mileage credits," writes Spector.
David Strickland, a former [National Highway Traffic Safety Administration] NHTSA head now practicing law at Venable LLP, said applying safety features could end up “watering down CAFE,” because quantifying their precise role is challenging. “It’s going to be very difficult to prove the amount of crashes avoided…that turns into the amount of congestion avoided that turns into the amount of fuel savings and emissions reduced.
We've seen this argument applied to traffic mitigation measures like traffic signal synchronization that planners argue reduce pollution by reducing the amount of time motorists sit behind red lights. But the argument can be made that smoother traffic flow makes driving more attractive compared to other modal alternatives, as Angie Schmitt of Streetsblog wrote on August 15, 2012.
NHTSA, which jointly sets CAFE standards with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), appears to show some willingness to consider the new safety features "ahead of 2017’s so-called midterm review of U.S. mileage standards."
New vehicle sales data for February shows average fuel economy of 25.2 mpg, "according to figures from the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute," writes Spector. "That’s down modestly from January as low gas prices send consumers flocking to less-efficient pickup trucks and sport-utility vehicles."
FULL STORY: Self-Braking Cars Are Safer, but Do They Boost MPG?
Are EPA's Fuel Efficiency Standards the Next Environmental Rollback?
Next on President Trump's environmental chopping block may be a rollback of fuel efficiency standards. Two auto associations have asked EPA Administer Scott Pruitt to review a decision made last month to retain a 54.5 mpg target.
Cheap Gas Defeats Fuel Efficiency Goals
The effect of low gas prices on motor vehicle selection by consumers could set back President Barack Obama's climate legacy, which includes obtaining fuel economy standards of 54.5 mpg by 2025.
Fuel Efficiency Just Became Much More Important
Two widely cited University of Michigan transportation researchers urge consumers to drive more fuel efficient vehicles to reduce their own carbon emissions as President Trump works to relax vehicle fuel economy standards.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Chicago’s Ghost Rails
Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.
Amtrak Cutting Jobs, Funding to High-Speed Rail
The agency plans to cut 10 percent of its workforce and has confirmed it will not fund new high-speed rail projects.
Ohio Forces Data Centers to Prepay for Power
Utilities are calling on states to hold data center operators responsible for new energy demands to prevent leaving consumers on the hook for their bills.
MARTA CEO Steps Down Amid Citizenship Concerns
MARTA’s board announced Thursday that its chief, who is from Canada, is resigning due to questions about his immigration status.
Silicon Valley ‘Bike Superhighway’ Awarded $14M State Grant
A Caltrans grant brings the 10-mile Central Bikeway project connecting Santa Clara and East San Jose closer to fruition.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Caltrans
City of Fort Worth
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie